Undoubtedly known as one of rock music’s greatest bassists ever, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers has teamed up with Fender to create his own signature series. The guitar is to be an exact replica of his Shell Pink ’61 Jass Bass, originally a gift from a fan, with a 20-fret “C”-shaped maple neck with a 7.25-inch radius rosewood fingerboard and a 4-bolt neck plate. Flea has also put his individual touch onto the instrument with some little engravings and even including the worn-out details his own one has, such as black marks on the lacquer finish’s faded design.

Flea described the instrument as “magic” and truly the greatest bass [he has] ever played” in a press release.

“Fender embodies everything I love about music and individuality. It reflects the soul of rock, punk, R&B and funk. It’s this bass that pushes me to give more each time I play. The Flea Jazz Bass is a true resurrection and possesses that wave of energy a bass should give you when it’s in your hands,” he continued, obviously excited about the project.

The esteemed artist has used the bass for a variety of musical projects including the band’s latest album The Getaway and 2006’s Stadium Arcadium.

See him photographed with the bass in the images below. Check out Fender’s website for more details.

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Featured Image: Rolling Stone

Images of Flea: Consequence of Sound

Today, NBA superstar Kobe Bryant plays his final ever game with the Los Angeles Lakers, against the Utah Jazz at the Staples Centre in LA. As is tradition at many sporting events, anthems are played ahead of the game kicking off. Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist and long time lakers fan Flea received the honour of playing the Star Spangled Banner for the momentous occasion, performing a unique and incredibly impressive version on his bass. Although Flea seems like an odd choice for Kobe’s final game – especially considering that basketball is more of a hip-hop sport, and we’ve already had Kendrick Lamar recite a poetic farewell, this is not the first time he’s performed at a game – he previously had the honour at a game back in 2014.

“I look at him as someone like, you know, Charlie Parker or John Coltrane or Jimmy Page or Jimi Hendrix, you know?” he expressed to Rolling Stone. “He’s been able to change and evolve and grow and be such a master of his craft. It’s been great seeing him grow up, because he joined the Lakers when he was 17, and he’s done so much for our city.”

Kobe Bryant, we salute you.

For more, read our feature article on the lengthy relationship between basketball and hip-hop.

Image: AP